Bynum deal is done

John Mitchell

Posted:
Friday, August 10, 2012, 3:29 PM

It’s official.

Earlier today the Sixers announced that the team’s acquisition of Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum and guard Jason Richardson of the Orlando Magic – key parts in the four-team mega deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers – was ratified by the league.

"We are very excited to welcome Andrew Bynum, one of the league's best, young centers, and Jason Richardson, a proven, respected veteran, to the Philadelphia 76ers," said Managing Owner Josh Harris. "As we stated from the outset, our ownership group is committed to exploring every option available to us in order to improve our team. This trade is the culmination of a very active off-season, one that we believe positions the Sixers for success this season and for many years to come."

The cost to the Sixers was sending long-time forward Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets, and center Nik Vucevic and rookie forward Maurice Harkless to the Magic along with a protected first-round pick.

In seven seasons, the 24-year-old has appeared in 392 games with 300 starts, averaging 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.60 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game while shooting 56.6% from the floor. He was the 10th overall pick by the Lakers in the 2005 draft.

Richardson (6-6, 225) was originally the fifth overall pick by Golden State in the 2001 draft.

The 11-year veteran has appeared in 805 games with 794 starts, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.17 steals in 34.6 minutes per game while shooting 44.1% from the floor and 37.2% from 3-point range.

Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004 and took over the Sixers beat in the summer of 2013 after covering Temple basketball and football for the previous three years.

Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between.